Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Asmara, Eritrea: Preliminary Report

Introduction: The majority of human infections with Toxoplasmagondii produce no symptoms, but in congenitally infected children can cause devastating effects including blindness, brain damage, or miscarriage. Transmission to the fetus occurs predominantly in women who acquire their primary infection during gestation. The study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) in different areas of Asmara, Eritrea, and to identify possible risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis among pregnant women attending the ANC centers. Methods: In this cross-sectional laboratory-based study, the data were collected from 210 pregnant women in four health facilities. Voluntary sampling technique and a structured questionnaire were used to collect the associated data and socio-demographic information. Cobas e411 Analyzer was used to test the blood serum for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. Epi-Info version 7.0 was used for data entry and SPSS version 20.0 was used for data analysis. Results: Of the 210 samples, 112 (53.6%) samples were seropositive and 97 (46.4%) samples were seronegative for T. gondii specific IgG antibody. Furthermore, 2.9% (6) of the samples were seropositive and 97.1% (203) of the samples were seronegative for T. gondii-specific IgM antibodies. Conclusion: The seroprevalence was considerably high, 53.6% for IgG antibody and 2.9% for IgM antibody, which require attention in order to implement preventive control measures, screening tests, and health education.

Molecular Detection of Virulence Factor Glycoprotein (Gp63) of Leishmania spp. in Phlebotomus Sand Flies

Introduction: Gp63 is the major surface glycoprotein of Leishmania which is prevalent in the promastigote stage of Phlebotomus sergenti. Glycoprotein 63 (gp63) or leishmanolysin is a zinc-dependent metalloprotease found on the surface of Leishmania. It was initially discovered in 1980and described biochemically and genetically as a surface antigen expressed in promastigotes of Leishmania species, having a range of substrates including casein, albumin, fibrinogen, haemoglobin, and gelatin. On the surface of amastigote, GP63 is present at a very low level. Glycoprotein 63 is a zinc-dependent metalloprotease that is active in the pH range of 7–10, which is neutral to alkaline. Materials and Methods: During the study, which was carried out in Al-Muthanna province from July 2017 to August 2018, about 2550 sand fly samples including 719 males and 1633 females were collected. Three species of sand flies were recorded according to morphological features which included Phlebotomus papatasi, Phlebotomus sergenti, and Sergentomyia sintoni. The caught specimens showed that P. papatasi was the most prevalent species. Two primers were used for the diagnosis of Leishmania spp. using a nested PCR technique, which was designed in a previous study for 1250 samples of sand flies from 25 locations in the study area. Results: Results showed that 13 samples were positive, containing DNA for the Leishmania parasite, and 12 samples were negative. Positive samples include 11 samples of L. major species and only 2 samples of L. tropica species. Additionally, the results showed that the L. major species was the dominant species in the study area. Positive samples (13) of sand flies had Leishmania parasite based on molecular diagnosis and virulence factor gene (Gp63) of Leishmania parasite was detected in sand flies using PCR method The results showed that virulence factor gene (Gp63) was detected on the surface of promastigote. This refers to the presence of Leishmania parasite in sand fly. The study is the first one which detected the presence of the virulence factors gene (GP63) of Leishmania in the body of sand flies. Conclusion: This study revealed the possibility of diagnosing leishmaniasis by virulence factor gene (Gp63) in leishmania promastigotes.

Prevalence of Human Intestinal Parasites in Tabriz City of Iran During 2018 and the Importance of These Parasites in Public Health

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections are among the main problems in developing countries. It is estimated that over 4.5 billion people in the world have been infected with a variety of intestinal parasites. Numerous studies conducted in different parts of Iran showed the spread of intestinal parasite infections in different urban and rural areas. However, the prevalence of these infections significantly reduced in recent years due to improvements in public health. Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted in a hospital in Tabriz city of Iran, 700 stool samples were collected during one year and studied using formalin-ether concentration method and Lugol’s iodine staining. Results: In this study, six types of parasites including Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba coli, Chilomastix mesnili, Blastocystis hominis, and Enterobius vermicularis were detected in 700 fecal samples. A total of 112 (16%) samples were infected, among which 43 (40%) were infected with Giardia lamblia, 35 (32%) with Entamoeba histolytica, 20 (18%) with Enterobius vermicularis, 10 (9%) with Entamoeba coli, 3 (0.026%) with Blastocystis hominis, and 1 (0.008%) with Chilomastix mesnili. Conclusion: In this study, the highest prevalence of infection belonged to Giardia lamblia (40%), which is consistent with the statistics published by the World Health Organization. According to the findings of this study, it can be concluded that despite the increase in the provision of health services in cities and villages, the prevalence of intestinal parasites, especially Giardia lamblia, is one of the major problems in the region. Therefore, there is a need for proper and coherent health planning in the region and accurate and up-to-date epidemiological information.

Helminth Control: In Vitro Anthelmintic and Larvicidal Activities of Solanum surattense Against Fasciola gigantica (Sporocyst, Redia, and Cercaria) Larvae

Introduction: Liver flukes (Fasciola species) are parasitic helminths that cause fascioliasis in cattle and humans. The Fasciola species (F. hepatica and F. gigantica) have complicated life cycles in the host snails and mammals. The cattle and human population get infected after ingestion of contaminated miracidium stages of Fasciola through aquatic plants or contaminated water. The developmental stages of liver flukes can be discontinued by terminating larval stages such as sporocyst, redia, and cercaria in vivo or by killing intermediate hosts. Synthetic anthelmintic compounds are highly effective but they cause adverse effects in the environment. Plant products are eco-friendly and safe which can be used in the control of parasitic helminths. Methods: In vitro anthelmintic activities of different preparations of Solanum surattense such as pulverized leaf products, extracts (ether, chloroform, methanol, acetone, and ethanol), and column purified fractions were assessed against sporocyst, redia, and cercaria larvae of F. gigantica. Different preparations of the S. surattense were assessed separately against Fasciola larva after 2 to 8 hours of exposure. These larvae, having up to 48-hour survivability, were kept in tap water at laboratory conditions. Results: Larval mortality was observed after 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours of exposure for the calculation of LC50 value. Among all the organic extracts, the maximum larvicidal activity was observed in ethanol after 2 hours of exposure, the LC50 value against sporocyst, redia, and cercaria was reported to be 63.21, 64.24, and 63.54 mg/mL, respectively. However, maximum activity was observed after 8 hours of exposure in column purified fractions, and the LC50 value against sporocyst, redia, and cercaria was reported to be 48.25, 47.61, and 44.15 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: Conclusively, the present research study indicates that S. surattense is a potent source of anthelmintic compounds which can be used for the control of sporocyst, redia, and cercaria larvae of F. gigantica.

Opisthorchiasis: An Emerging Foodborne Helminthic Zoonosis of Public Health Significance

Opisthorchiasis is an emerging foodborne parasitic zoonosis that has been reported from developing as well as developed nations of the world. Globally, around 80 million people are at risk of acquiring Opisthorchis infection. The source of infection is exogenous, and ingestion is considered as the primary mode of transmission. Humans get the infection by consuming raw or undercooked fish. In most cases, the infection remains asymptomatic. However, in affected individuals, the clinical manifestations are manifold. Occasionally, complications including cholangitis, cholecystitis, and cholangiocarcinoma are observed. The people who have the dietary habit of eating raw fish usually get the infection. Certain occupational groups, such as fishermen, agricultural workers, river fleet employees, and forest industry personnel are mainly infected with Opisthorchis. The travelers to the endemic regions who consume raw fish are exposed to the infection. Parasitological, immunological, and molecular techniques are employed to confirm the diagnosis of disease. Treatment regimens include oral administration of praziquantel and albendazole. In the absence of therapy, the acute phase transforms into a chronic one that may persist for two decades. Presently, there is no vaccine available against Opisthorchis species. Elimination of human host reservoir can be achieved by the examination of stool and treatment of the positive cases. Consumption of thoroughly cooked fish, protection of water bodies, decontamination of sewage, dehelminthization of domestic carnivores, proper washing of hands and kitchen utensils after processing raw fish, and education of the people about the hazards of eating raw or undercooked fish are the practical strategies for the prevention of this emerging zoonotic helminthiasis.

Assessment of Cryptosporidium in Patients With Gastroenteritis by Modified Ziehl-Neelsen Staining Method in East Azerbaijan Province of Iran During 2018-2019

Introduction: Cryptosporidiosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease that is caused by Cryptosporidium species and leads to acute or chronic diarrhea and vomiting in patients. Due to the suitable conditions of East Azerbaijan province for parasite transmission, the present study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in patients with gastroenteritis referred to hospitals and reference laboratories of East Azerbaijan province during 2018-2019. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on patients with diarrhea who referred to hospitals and reference laboratories of East Azerbaijan province during 2018-2019. In this study, 180 fecal samples were collected from patients with gastroenteritis by cluster-random sampling. Stool samples were stored in 10% formalin and transferred to a parasitology laboratory and examined for parasite contamination by modified acid-fast staining (Modified Ziehl-Neelsen) method. Data were analyzed by chi-square test using SPSS. Results: Out of 180 samples, the highest number of diarrhea samples belonged to the age group over 40 years (35.5%) and the lowest belonged to the age group of 10-20 years (7.7%). Additionally, 56% of subjects were male and 44% were female. Of these patients, 57.7% lived in urban areas and 42.3% in rural areas. Cryptosporidium was observed in 1.6% (3 cases) of patients with gastroenteritis. There was a statistically significant relationship between Cryptosporidium infection and the age of patients with diarrhea (P<0.05). Conclusion: In the present study, a lower prevalence of cryptosporidiosis has been determined in comparison with previous studies in East Azerbaijan province. However, Cryptosporidium and other parasitic infections in the feces of patients with diarrhea referred to hospitals or reference laboratories need to be carefully diagnosed by appropriate parasitological methods.

Perianal Traumatic Myiasis in a Goat Caused by Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner 1862) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in Konya Province of Turkey

Introduction: The infestation of live humans and animals with dipterous larvae is called Myiasis. These larvae feed on the living or dead tissues, body fluids, and ingested foods of hosts at least for a certain period in myiasis cases. Case Presentation: During clinical examination, several larvae were detected in the perianal area of a goat at Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Internal Medicine Clinics. All visible larvae were cleaned by the clinician with the help of forceps. Ivermectin administered against larvae possibly penetrated deep into the wound. A topical antibiotic was also applied, and the wound was washed with an antiseptic solution. Several larvae were preserved in tubes including ethanol (70%) and transferred to parasitology laboratory. Firstly, the larvae were incised with a scalpel and cleared in potassium hydroxide (10%). Then, they were rinsed in distilled water, put into 70% ethanol for dehydration, and stored in 99% ethanol until dissection. The larvae were morphologically examined under a stereo microscope and dissected. The larvae were identified as third instar larvae of Wohlfahrtia magnifica according to the morphological characteristics of cephalo-pharyngeal skeleton, anterior spiracles, and peritremes. Conclusion: It should be kept in mind that in myiasis cases, early diagnosis is a very important factor in preventing deep tissue loss.